Identifying Cockroach Allergens in Residential and Commercial Environments

Cockroaches are one of society’s most commonly found pests. Worldwide there are thousands of species of cockroaches and several dozen are associated with human habitats.  Of these, just a handful of species make up the vast majority of the pests found in homes, schools and offices.
 
The insects are normally considered to be nocturnal, so people may not always be aware of an infestation until it has gotten out of hand. Not only can cockroaches spread pathogens, but they are also a frequent cause of allergic reactions in people and are a known asthma trigger.  Some health experts also believe exposure to cockroach allergens may lead to the development of asthma in young children. 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports, “Droppings or body parts of cockroaches and other pests can trigger asthma. Certain proteins are found in cockroach feces and saliva and can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals.”
Fortunately, there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce exposure risks to cockroach allergens, including the following:

• Store foods in airtight containers and keep lids on garbage.
• Keep commercial and residential kitchens and food storage areas clean and free of clutter.
• Seal cracks and openings in kitchens and throughout a building.
• Reduce humidity and repair any parts of a building that have suffered water damage.
• Wash bedding frequently using hot water.
• Carpeting can act as a sink for cockroach allergens so regularly vacuum with a HEPA vacuum or consider replacing carpeting with another type of flooring.
• The use of cockroach baits and traps can also be effective.

 
“Nobody wants to have cockroaches in their home, school or place of business,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark.  “Their presence can not only make some people squirm, but can also lead to respiratory concerns for building occupants. For people who have asthma, it’s important for them to understand their exposure risks to various asthma triggers. For those sensitive to the presence of cockroach allergens, CSC offers indoor environmental allergen testing services to identify cockroach and other common indoor allergens.  These environmental tests can provide important information for controlling and minimizing exposure and managing asthma symptoms.”
 
CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about cockroaches and exposure concerns that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/yGf6970AlyY
 
To learn more about environmental allergens or other indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail